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Last yer Copenhagen reported a man to the police for conducting an Islamic marriage for a 14-year old Danish girl behind her parents back. But nothing happened and the authorities were criticized for leaving the young girls and their families to their fate. The Minister of Social Affairs now formed a working group to look into the issue and see how the young girls can be helped.

Lisbeth Zornig Andersen, head of the Children's Council, told the Berlingske newspaper that apparently nobody protects the interests of these girls, and that political action is needed.

Karen Hækkerup (S), minister of social affairs: "There is no bulwark to protect these girls. Even if the ceremonies are not legally valid, I recognize that it's an extremely social problem."

One option is to establish a special contact point where parents and young girls, who are asked for marriage, can get help. Berlingske reports that the working group expects to deliver its proposal and conclusions in March.